Uma Thurman

Film Review: Awful ‘Playing for Keeps’ Wastes Talents of Notable Cast

PatrickMcD — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:44:55 -0500

CHICAGO – When will the movie universe stop lionizing the upper middle class and their “problems” as a standard for storytelling? The idiotic crawl of “Playing for Keeps” is a prime example of that style, a sad exercise in contradictions that pass for narrative. Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Dennis Quaid and Catherine Zeta-Jones get punked by the script.

Rating: 1.5/5.0

The four actors listed above have been stellar in other films, Jones even having an Oscar on her mantle. They are all getting a bit older, perhaps having issues with getting the right scripts in their agent’s hands. But man, there was nothing on the written page in this movie, unless it was radically changed during production, that would have a sensible and bankable actor give it a whirl. In what could have been the exploration of some current family issues involving divorce, custody and forgiveness, devolves into Gerard Butler getting the opportunity to bed some lovelies – almost including Dennis Quaid – in a suburb that doesn’t exist.

George (Butler) is an international ex-soccer star who has somehow ended up broke and living in Virginia. He has moved there to be closer to his son Lewis (Noah Lomax), and still carries a torch for his ex-wife Stacie (Jessica Biel). George is sort of lost, and there is an interesting scene in the beginning where he is making a bad audition tape in hopes to be a soccer analyst for a local station. His scattershot visitations of his son becomes problematic, and this is solved by having him become coach of Lewis’s soccer team (why he hadn’t been doing that all along is not explained).

This unleashes the ardor of the single divorcees and unhappy wives in the bleachers, including Patti (Uma Thurman), Barb (Judy Greer) and Denise (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Barb wants a fling with George and gets it, Denise wants a fling in exchange for a better audition tape, and gets it, Patti wants to sleep around her husband Carl (Dennis Quaid), but doesn’t get it because her rich man hubby has a tail on her. Carl also befriends George for reasons not explained and gives the soccer coach an expensive car. It’s all just another day in the Virginia suburbs of America.

“Playing for Keeps” opens everywhere on December 7th. Featuring Gerard Butler, Noah Lomax, Jessica Biel, Dennis Quaid, Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Judy Greer. Screenplay by Robbie Fox. Directed by Gabriele Muccino. Rated “PG-13”

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Playing for Keeps”

Players: George (Gerard Butler) and Son Lewis (Noah Lomax) in ‘Playing for Keeps’
Photo credit: FilmDistrict

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Playing for Keeps”

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 40 Pairs of Passes to ‘Playing For Keeps’ With Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:24:49 -0500

CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 40 pairs of movie passes up for grabs to the advance screening of the new romantic comedy “Playing For Keeps” with Gerard Butler!

“Playing For Keeps,” which opens on Dec. 7, 2012 and is rated “PG-13,” also stars Jessica Biel, Dennis Quaid, Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Judy Greer, Marlena Lerner, Emily Somers, Katia Gomez, Gisella Marengo, Cindy Creekmore, Nicky Buggs, Jon Mack, Soumaya Akaaboune, Shanna Forrestall, Aisha Kabia and Liann Pattison from director Gabriele Muccino and writer Robbie Fox.

To win your free “Playing For Keeps” passes courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our unique Hookup technology below. That’s it! This screening is on Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning!

Before entering, make sure you allow pop-ups.
If viewing this on your phone, click “Go to Full Site” at the bottom of the page to enter.
Deadline: Entries can continue being submitted through Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012
at 5 p.m. CST. These Hookup winners will be awarded via e-mail that night.
If necessary: To see your entry count on a repeat visit, submit your name and e-mail again.

Here is the synopsis for “Playing For Keeps”:

Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Uma Thurman and Catherine Zeta-Jones star in “Playing For Keeps”: a romantic comedy about a charming, down-on-his luck former soccer star (Gerard Butler) who returns home to put his life back together. Looking for a way to rebuild his relationship with his son, he gets roped into coaching the boys’ soccer team.

But his attempts to finally become an “adult” are met with hilarious challenges from the attractive “soccer moms” who pursue him at every turn. “Playing For Keeps” is directed by Gabriele Muccino, who directed “The Pursuit of Happyness”.

The movie poster for “Playing For Keeps” starring Gerard Butler and Jessica Biel.
Image credit: FilmDistrict

The movie trailer for “Playing For Keeps” can be watched now below.

This HollywoodChicago.com Hookup is simple! Just get interactive in our unique Hookup technology above. We will award 40 admit-two movie tickets based on social entry numbers and/or randomly via e-mail for our “Playing For Keeps” Hookup. Good luck!

Disclaimer
Winners need to arrive early as seats are consumed on a first-come, first-served basis. Since showings are overbooked to ensure a full house, winners are not guaranteed entrance and must arrive early. We recommend arriving 45 minutes before the showing’s scheduled start time. HollywoodChicago.com LLC is a promotional partner with the studio and its partners and doesn’t assume any liability for this giveaway. Note: Comments are closed in this Hookup.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 40 Pairs of Passes to ‘Savages’ From Oliver Stone with Taylor Kitsch

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 00:07:23 -0400

CHICAGO – Oliver Stone is back! In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 40 admit-two movie passes up for grabs to the advance screening of the highly anticipated new Oliver Stone film “Savages”!

“Savages” features an all-star cast including Benicio Del Toro, John Travolta, Salma Hayek, Uma Thurman, Emile Hirsch, Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson, Demián Bichir, Jonathan Carr, Joaquín Cosio, Shea Whigham, Diego Cataño, Jana Banker, Candra Docherty, Patrick Fourmy and Gary Stretch from director Oliver Stone and writers Shane Salerno and Don Winslow.

The film opens on July 6, 2012. To win your free passes to the advance screening of “Savages” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, get interactive with our unique Hookup technology directly below. That’s it! This screening is on Monday, July 2, 2012 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete below, the higher yours odds of winning!

Before entering, make sure you allow pop-ups.
If viewing this on your phone, click “Go to Full Site” at the bottom of the page to enter.
Deadline: Entries can continue being submitted through Friday, June 29, 2012
at 5 p.m. CST. These Hookup winners will be awarded via e-mail that night.
If necessary: To see your entry count on a repeat visit, submit your name and e-mail again.

Here is the synopsis for “Savages”:

Three-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone returns to the screen with the ferocious thriller “Savages,” which features the all-star ensemble cast of Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Emile Hirsch and Demian Bichir. The film is based on Don Winslow’s best-selling crime novel that was named one of The New York Times’ top 10 books of 2010.

Laguna Beach entrepreneurs Ben (Johnson) (a peaceful and charitable Buddhist) and his closest friend Chon (Kitsch) (a former Navy SEAL and ex-mercenary) run a lucrative, homegrown industry: raising some of the best marijuana ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with the extraordinary beauty Ophelia (Lively). Life is idyllic in their Southern California town until the Mexican Baja cartel decides to move in.

When the merciless Elena (Hayek) and her brutal enforcer Lado (Del Toro) underestimate the unbreakable bond among these three friends, Ben and Chon – with the reluctant, slippery assistance of a dirty DEA agent (Travolta) – wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel. And so begins a series of increasingly vicious ploys and maneuvers in a high-stakes, savage battle of wills.

The “Savages” movie poster from Oliver Stone with Benicio Del Toro and John Travolta.
Image credit: Universal Pictures

The “Savages” movie trailer can be watched now below.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Film Review: Robert Pattinson Drains Life From Misguided ‘Bel Ami’

BrianTT — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:15:24 -0400

Rating: 2.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Robert Pattinson is such a divisive actor. While he’s clearly one of the most popular young stars in the world thanks to his work in the “Twilight” films, he has yet to prove to most people that he can really act. While some who have seen David Cronenberg’s upcoming “Cosmopolis” claim that this will be the film that finally allows Pattinson to break out of the franchise that has defined him, we’re stuck with something far lesser for now, the misguided and depressing “Bel Ami,” a film that does nothing to help the critical reputation of the man otherwise known as Edward Cullen.

The problem is that I somehow want to defend Pattinson. I think there’s something there. Cronenberg is one of the smartest men in filmmaking and he saw something in this brooding young actor. And so what’s the defense for this mess? He was in over his head and was miscast from the beginning. It’s not his fault that he got thrown into the deep end with more talented swimmers and drowns in this misguided costume drama.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Bel Ami” in our reviews section.

“Bel Ami,” based on Guy de Maupassant’s second novel, is a tale that requires a charismatic, fascinating lead. And Pattinson doesn’t work as the manipulative cad that this story demands. It doesn’t help that his character arc requires him to not only seduce but get emotionally entangled with truly charismatic actors like Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Christina Ricci. It’s hard to believe any of them would give Pattinson a second glance.

Continue reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Bel Ami” review.

“Bel Ami” stars Robert Pattinson, Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Christina Ricci, and Colm Meaney. It was written by Rachel Bennette and directed by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod. It opens on June 22, 2012 and is currently available On Demand. It is rated R.

Bel Ami
Photo credit: Magnolia Pictures

Blu-Ray Review: Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Pulp Fiction,’ ‘Jackie Brown’

BrianTT — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:06:10 -0400

CHICAGO – I’m old enough dear readers to vividly remember Quentin Tarantino’s premiere with “Reservoir Dogs” and then how much he took the world by storm with “Pulp Fiction,” a common choice for the best film of the ’90s. At the time, “Jackie Brown” seemed like a disappointment by comparison (how could it not?), but it is now widely respected and even beloved. These aren’t just good movies — they’re classics of their time. What more do you want from a pair of Blu-rays?

The fact that Lionsgate bought out the library of Miramax for Blu-ray release has led to an onslaught of some of the best movies of their day in the last few months including “Amelie,” “Trainspotting,” “Swingers,” and more. Perhaps the best pair of releases of this entire collection came last week with the one-two punch of “Pulp Fiction” and “Jackie Brown,” two five-star films from one of the best living directors.

“Jackie Brown” has not been given any new special features, but “Pulp Fiction” has, which should be reason alone for the legion of fans to pick it up (a very-low MSRP that has it below $13 at some online outlets REALLY seals the deal). As for transfers, “Pulp” looks good but the HD transfer on “Brown” looks grainier and more poorly-mixed than it should. But it’s a minor complaint. The movies are so perfect that you need to upgrade and add them to your Blu-ray collection. Especially if you’re close to my age.

Pulp Fiction
Photo credit: Lionsgate

“Pulp Fiction”

Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0

Synopsis:
Critics and audiences worldwide hailed Pulp Fiction as the star-studded motion picture that redefined cinema in the 20th Century! The 7-time Academy Award-nominated film (including Best Picture, 1994) is considered one of AFI’s “100 Greatest American Movies of All Time” and is listed on Time magazine’s “All-Time 100 Best Films.” It has been called “quite simply, the most exhilarating piece of filmmaking to come along in the decade” (Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly) and “(unquestionably) the most influential American movie of the 1990’s” (Richard Corliss, Time). Writer/Director Quentin Tarantino (Academy Award® Winner - Best Original Screenplay, 1994) delivers an unforgettable cast of characters - including a pair of low-rent hit men (John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson), their boss’s sexy wife (Uma Thurman) and a desperate prizefighter (Bruce Willis) - in a wildly entertaining and exhilarating motion picture adventure that both thrills and amuses!

Special Features:
o New Interviews with Cast
o New Critics’ Retrospective on the Movie’s Place in Film History
o Behind-the-Scenes Footage
o Pulp Fiction: The Facts Featurette
o Production Design Featurette
o Siskel & Ebert At The Movies - The Tarantino Generation
o Independent Spirit Awards Footage
o Cannes Film Festival Footage
o The Charlie Rose Show Tarantino Interview
o Still Galleries
o Trivia Track
o Deleted Scenes

“Jackie Brown”

Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0

Synopsis:
Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction) scores with an explosive mix of intense action and edgy humor in his “twisty crime yarn” (Entertainment Weekly). What do a sexy stewardess (Pam Grier), a street-tough gun runner (Samuel L. Jackson), a lonely bail bondsman (Robert Forster), a shifty ex-con (Robert De Niro), an earnest federal agent (Michael Keaton) and a stoned-out beach bunny (Bridget Fonda) have in common? They’re six players on the trail of a half million dollars in cash! The only questions are… who’s going to get played… and who’s going to make the big score?

Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actor (Forster), Jackie Brown is now presented for the first time in eye-popping High-Definition Blu-ray with a stunning new transfer overseen by Tarantino and new lossless 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio.

Special Features:
o Breaking Down Jackie Brown
o Jackie Brown: How It Went Down Retrospective Featuring Interviews with Quentin Tarantino, Pam Grief, Robert Forster, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert De Niro, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, Elmore Leonard and Crew
o A Look Back At Jackie Brown Interview with Quentin Tarantino
o Chicks With Guns Video
o Siskel & Ebert At The Movies - Jackie Brown Review
o Jackie Brown on MTV
o Marketing Gallery
o Still Galleries
o Trivia Track
o Deleted and Alternate Scenes

“Jackie Brown” and “Pulp Fiction” were released on Blu-ray on October 4th, 2011. Both were written and directed by Quentin Tarantino.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: Overlooked ‘Ceremony’ Deserves to Be Celebrated

mattmovieman — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:31:48 -0400

CHICAGO – How can the directorial debut of the Fonz’s son slip by unnoticed during its initial theatrical run? Max Winkler was only 25 when he shot “Ceremony,” a film dismissed by many critics as a mere imitation of Wes Anderson’s “Rushmore.” To be fair, Winkler looks remarkably like the iconic filmmaker, and his premise does bear certain similarities to Anderson’s widely celebrated 1998 comedy.

Yet the people Winkler has created within the pages of his richly textured script feel more tangibly human than Anderson’s colorfully heightened characters ever have. Instead of glorying in the manufactured personas of its insecure protagonists, the film probes under the surface of their self-deception, exposing the vulnerability beneath the façade. Stylistically, it’s entirely different from Anderson’s work, and Winkler has mentioned in interviews that he’s still developing his voice. But “Ceremony” is anything but a scrappy work in progress.

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.5/5.0

Michael Angarano and Reece Thompson are two of the most appealing actors of their generation, though few filmmakers have previously afforded them as worthy a showcase. They play Sam and Marshall (respectively), two twenty-something friends whose once-close relationship has faded over the years. On the heels of his failed and blatantly autobiographical children’s novel, Sam orchestrates a trip that he claims is designed to help him and Marshall reconnect. Yet it becomes quickly obvious that Sam is withholding his true intentions, as he stealthily eyes his desired destination: an upscale gathering attended by his thirty-something ex, Zoe (Uma Thurman), and her sleek fiancé, Whit (played by Lee Pace with a dash of Russell Brand). Angarano is very funny in these early scenes, overplaying his suave posturing with an excess of self-confidence, while the unassuming Thompson repeatedly sabotages the charade with his painful honesty. Their chemistry manages to be both amusing and touching, even as Sam repeatedly coerces Marshall with his compulsive stream of lies. “We’re not sneaking around, we’re being mysterious,” Sam insists to his perplexed friend as they prepare to crash the private party. Though Zoe is considerably older than Sam, he remains convinced that she would favor him over Whit, a narcissistic celebrity and self-professed realist with enticing financial stability.

Michael Angarano and Reece Thompson are wonderful in Max Winkler’s Ceremony.
Photo credit: Magnolia Home Entertainment

It’s entirely to the credit of Winkler’s script that none of these people are reduced to the level of condescending caricatures. One can easily see why Zoe would’ve been attracted to Sam, since she still has a tendency to be as immature and childlike as he is. Whit may be a hack, but at least he’s self-aware, and certainly has no intention of being vindictive to someone as visibly unthreatening as Sam. Even Zoe’s screw-up brother, Teddy (Jake Johnson), proves to be more interesting than he initially seems. His disarmingly casual demeanor thinly masks a troubled mind skirting on the edge of self-destruction, and there’s a riveting moment when Zoe’s sorrow for her sibling turns into exasperated rage. It’s clear that her tireless caregiving has caused her to seek reliable care in the arms of another. This is Thurman’s best non-Tarantino vehicle since Mira Nair’s 2002 TV movie, “Hysterical Blindness,” and she shares scenes with Angarano that are both endearing and utterly heartbreaking. Though the film supplies many laughs, it also offers a great deal of insight and bittersweet catharsis as its characters make the difficult journey toward self-acceptance and adulthood. “Ceremony” is a splendid surprise, solidifying Winkler’s reputation as a filmmaker of great promise.

Ceremony was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on June 21, 2011.
Photo credit: Magnolia Home Entertainment

The film is presented in 1080p High Definition (with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio) and includes a fine array of extras. In the standard HD Net featurette, Winkler reveals that it was his intention to write a “coming-of-age tale in reverse” where a boy learns to accept that he is still a boy. Since Angarano and Winkler are a mere four years apart in age, they easily bonded on the set, discussing their own personal relationships (a commentary track from them would’ve been most welcome). A 21-minute making-of doc expands on the writer-director’s vision for his characters, who are all somewhat “stunted, maturity-wise.“ He says that Sam pictures himself as the lead in a Cary Grant movie, while everyone else sees right through his false bravado. Thurman said she was aiming for a “subtle characterization” of her “temporal” role, while Pace fully embraced the chance to play a man as grounded as he is larger-than-life. There’s also an 8-minute portrait of Winkler on the set of his first feature, sporting some of the same neuroses that makes his characters so endearing. Like many great directors, Winkler dreads pre-production, though he admits that the “hardest thing about directing is getting out of the van.” One of the first scenes to be shot was set at an outdoor pool where Sam and Marshall were to lounge in the sun before embarking on their adventures. The chilly temperatures didn’t cooperate, resulting in two shivering, shirtless stars straining to look relaxed, but the unexpected weather ended up only increasing the comedy of the scene, playing into Sam’s helplessness in contriving a sense of fun.

Rounding out the extras are two brief deleted scenes, including an awkward exchange between Marshall and the sad maid of his dreams, and an extended version of Teddy’s excruciating dinner monologue that further unearths the animosity he feels toward Whit. There’s also an all-too-brief outtake reel in which Winkler is heard feeding dialogue to his actors as they ride in a car. Any viewer who’s never been on a film set may appreciate the 7-minute featurette that captures the complex process of covering all the angles on a small yet crucial scene. And Pace is clearly having a blast in his faux African documentary, “A Year in a Tent,” where Whit appears to be no less delusional than Aldous Snow, though this clip is nowhere near as laughably offensive as the tune, “African Child” in “Get Him to the Greek.”

‘Ceremony’ is released by Magnolia Home Entertainment and stars Michael Angarano, Reece Thompson, Uma Thurman, Lee Pace and Jake Johnson. It was written and directed by Max Winkler. It was released on June 21, 2011. It is rated R.

By MATT FAGERHOLM
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
matt@hollywoodchicago.com

‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians:The Lightning Thief’ Conjures Up a Big Bolt of Bland

PatrickMcD — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:06:35 -0500

CHICAGO – Oh, those nutty kids today. At one moment they’re regular high schoolers, doing all those post millennium teen rituals, then suddenly they’re demigods in “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.”

Rating: 2.5/5.0

Logan Lerman is Percy Jackson, a put-upon teenager who has trouble keeping up in class because of dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Besides these difficulties, he has problems at home with his odious stepfather and is constantly defending his sacrificing mother (Catherine Keener).

This sorrowful situation changes rapidly when Percy attends a museum lecture given by his teacher Mr. Brunner (Pierce Brosnan). It seems like the Greek mythology being presented resonates clearly with Percy, especially since he’s able to read ancient Greek etchings. This is followed with one of his other teachers changing into a flying bat creature, and his handicapped best friend Grover (Brandon T. Jackson) suddenly gluing himself to Percy’s side as his “protector,” emerging as a half man, half goat satyr.

Percy, even before he is indoctrinated in his new surroundings, also finds out that he is accused of stealing the lighting bolt rod of the head god Zeus. In quick succession, Percy must train as a demigod warrior, figure out his new allies (Grover, Annabeth and Luke), figure out how to clear his name as the lightning thief and solve many clues to enter hell to rescue his mother.

”Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” opens February 12th everywhere and features Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Jake Abel, Pierce Brosnan, Steve Coogan, Rosario Dawson, Uma Thurman, and Catherine Keener, directed by Chris Columbus. Rated “PG”

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “ Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief”

The Magical Land of Las Vegas: Brandon T. Jackson as Grover, Alexandra Daddario as Annabeth and Logan Lerman as Percy in ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief’
Photo credit: © 2010 Fox 2000 Pictures

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “ Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief”

Interview: Cast of ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians’ Capture the Lightning

PatrickMcD — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:28:42 -0500

CHICAGO – Bringing a popular book series to screen is successfully achieved primarily through casting, and the adaptation of “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” is no exception. The young cast brims with enthusiasm for the new movie.

Logan Lerman (Percy), Brandon T. Jackson (Grover), Alexandra Daddario (Annabeth) and Jake Abel (Luke) can expect a higher profile from fans of the book series. Percy is an ordinary New York City kid who finds out his dyslexia and ADHD disorder are part of his unknown powers – he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon. His adventures center around the discovery of these powers, and his cohorts helping him to find the truth behind a stolen lightning sword from the top god Zeus.

Brandon T. Jackson, Logan Lerman and Alexandra Daddario in ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief’
Photo credit: © 2010 Fox 2000 Pictures

HollywoodChicago.com caught up with the four main cast members of the film during a recent publicity tour. They talked about the challenges of filming a special effects laden epic and capturing the well-known characters.

HollywoodChicago.com: Logan, what will the audience find in this film that they won’t expect?

Logan Lerman: There is so much to relate to in the film. It takes place in modern day and we’re all real people. Percy is an average high schooler with everyday problems, dyslexia, ADHD and step parent problems. And when he finds out he is the son of Poseidon, he’s not who he thought he was. His disadvantages become advantages, and he finds out how to embrace who he is. It’s symbolic of everyday problems and how to deal with them.

Jake Abel: And, after all these years, the gods are still bickering among themselves (laughs). The modern twist uses iPhones as reflectors and Chuck Taylors as flying shoes, which separates it from anything else. At the same time, you may be tricked into learning something. You may walk away with a vast knowledge of greek mythology without even realized you been taught it, in a weird way.

Brandon T. Jackson: The quest also takes place here, in the United States. We go to Las Vegas, Nashville and all over, which is really cool. Percy, I think, is also cooler as a character than Harry Potter since he comes from Brooklyn, and is a little edgier. My character of Grover is from there too, and so Percy gets to discover that his friend is half goat.

HC: The family side of the film, as represented by Catherine Keener as Percy’s Mother, is also significant. What kind of family message is the film reaching for?

Jackson: It’s about your greatest weaknesses becoming your greatest strengths. Especially for younger people. What you may view as these weaknesses can end up to your advantage, that’s what Percy learns. And that’s what Grover teaches him.

HC: Alexandra, your female character is as strong as the male demigods in this film. What can the audience expect from her?

Alexandra Daddario: It all about overcoming obstacles. Even though she’s never met her mother, she still continues to search for what she needs. I relate that back to my own life with family situations, school and even acting itself – with its rejections – for overcoming those obstacles.

HC: Alexandra, you started out on a soap opera, “All My Children.” How does doing that compare to doing a feature film?

Daddario: It’s very different. I was 16 years old when I did the TV show and juggling high school with it. You do one show a day on a soap, and you shoot it all in about 45 minutes, as compared to a two hour film in five months. It is a different pace as an actor and a different type of quality. But with the soap, just being in front of a camera helped me, and its a really good learning ground for starting out. I learned how to memorize lines, for example, I don’t even have to try anymore to do it.

Left to Right: Alexandra Daddario, Jake Abel, Logan Lerman and Brandon T. Jackson in Chicago on January 19th, 2010.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

HC: Where does a film like this take you in a career path? What are your expectations in a business that is making bigger and bigger films like “Avatar”?

Lerman: It depends on the filmmakers, really. The story needs to be there as well. I like to have complete faith in the directors I work with, my choices are based on that.

Jackson: I want to find new, innovative directors. There is not a lot of innovation out there. Finding those guys and working with the right people is key. It’s always a creative choice.

HC: How hard is it to concentrate on acting when you’re in a big special effects epic?

Jackson: The most difficult part is expanding your imagination while at the same time doing the right actions for the computer generated graphics being drawn in. Chris Columbus, the director, is like ‘do what you want to do and we can work around it.’ We’re stabbing different things, cutting different things, and there was nothing there (laughs). They just drew it in later.

Abel: They always tell you it will look better later, even when you look like an idiot doing crazy moves in front of people (laughs).

Daddario: I think they sit in the editing room laughing at us.

Jackson: I saw half my body erased until I just became a floating head.

Lerman: It’s really about finding a comfort level to feel free to do whatever you want, and that’s what Chris is good at. One thing that helped me was embarrassing myself a lot. I’d go out there and scream my head off before a take and do Ian McKellen impressions all day – ‘you shall not pass!’

It’s actually a little easier to work with nothing there sometimes. Because if you have a good grasp of your imagination you can work with a character that you create, the visual artists create, and the director creates with you. Just do whatever you want, and play with your imagination.

Abel: Also your only limitation is your imagination.

”Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” opens February 12th everywhere and features Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Jake Abel, Pierce Brosnan, Steve Coogan, Rosario Dawson, Uma Thurman and Catherine Keener, directed by Chris Columbus. Rated “PG”

By PATRICK McDONALD
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief’ Chicagoland Passes With Uma Thurman

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:12:57 -0500

CHICAGO – In our latest fantasy edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicagoland screening of “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief”!

The film stars Uma Thurman, Pierce Brosnan, Rosario Dawson, Catherine Keener, Steve Coogan, Brandon T. Jackson, Logan Lerman, Sean Bean, Kevin McKidd, Alexandra Daddario, Jake Abel, Serinda Swan, Joe Pantoliano, Melina Kanakaredes and Chelan Simmons from director Chris Columbus. The film’s screenplay is by Craig Titley based on the novel by Rick Riordan.

To win your free pass to the advance Chicagoland screening of “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just answer our question below. That’s it! This screening is on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010 at 7 p.m. in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Ill. Directions to enter this Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below.

The movie poster for “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief”.
Image credit: 20th Century Fox

Here is the “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” plot description:

It’s the 21st century, but the gods of Mount Olympus and assorted monsters have walked out of the pages of high school student Percy Jackson’s Greek mythology texts and into his life. And they’re not happy. Zeus’ lightning bolt has been stolen and Percy is the prime suspect. Even more troubling is the sudden disappearance of Percy’s mother.

As Percy adapts to his newly discovered status as a demi-god (his father is Poseidon), he finds himself caught between the battling titans of Mount Olympus. He and his friends embark on a cross-country adventure to catch the true lightning thief, save Percy’s mom and unravel a mystery more powerful than the gods themselves.

The “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” trailer can be watched now below.

To secure your free tickets now, make sure you’re logged into your HollywoodChicago.com account. If you don’t yet have one, you can quickly register here. Having an account with a valid e-mail address is required. Then, simply add a new comment in the form below. In your comment, include an answer to this question:

Who is the greatest Greek god of all time? Why?

Like all Hookups here, this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film is simple: Just submit your comment below and we will award 25 people randomly via e-mail for our “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” Hookup. Winners need to arrive early as seats are consumed on a first-come, first-served basis. Good luck!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief/Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 ‘Motherhood’ Chicago Passes With Uma Thurman, Minnie Driver

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:52:38 -0400

CHICAGO – In our latest comedy edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of “Motherhood”!

“Motherhood” stars Uma Thurman, Minnie Driver, Anthony Edwards, David Schallipp, Matthew Schallipp, Jake M. Smith, Jackie Stewart, Stephanie Szostak and Daisy Tahan from writer and director Katherine Dieckmann. The film opens in Chicago on Oct. 23, 2009 and is part of the 2009 Chicago International Film Festival.

To win your free pass to the advance Chicago screening of “Motherhood” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, all you need to do is answer our question below. That’s it! This screening will be held on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. Directions to enter this Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below.

“Motherhood” stars Uma Thurman, Minnie Driver and Anthony Edwards from writer and director Katherine Dieckmann.
Image credit: Freestyle Releasing

Here is the “Motherhood” plot description:

From writer and director Katherine Dieckmann (the acclaimed filmmaker of “Diggers” and “A Good Baby”) comes “Motherhood,” which stars Uma Thurman, Anthony Edwards and Minnie Driver.

Shot entirely on location in New York’s West Village, this comedy distills the dilemmas of the maternal state – marriage, work, self and not necessarily in that order – into the trials and tribulations of one pivotal day.

Equal parts Mrs. Dalloway and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Motherhood” forms a genre of one. No other movie has dedicated itself in quite this way to probing exactly what it takes to be a mother with both wry humor and an acute sense of authenticity.

“Motherhood,” which is a humorous and poignant look at the daily challenges mothers everywhere face, is a hymn to the trials and joys of raising children and the necessity of not losing yourself in the process.

Uma Thurman strikes a smoldering pose for the HollywoodChicago.com lens as she walks the red
carpet on Oct. 8, 2009 at the premiere of her new film “Motherhood” for the opening night of the
45th-annual Chicago International Film Festival. Uma Thurman was honored with a career achievement award.
Image credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

The “Motherhood” trailer can be watched now below.

What are the biggest blessings and burdens of being a mother?

Like all Hookups here, this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup is simple: Just submit your comment below and we will award 25 people randomly via e-mail for our “Motherhood” Hookup. Winners needs to arrive early as seats are consumed on a first-come, first-served basis. Good luck!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief/Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com